Conscious Entrepreneurship: May I introduce Sianni J Cabello
After seeing the need for barriers to be broken in the lives of so many youth, Sianni J Cabello set out to understand how she could impact and positively change how the inequalities of the United States educational system were set up. She then grew to have an invested interest in education policy and devoted herself to working with politicians on Capitol Hill like democratic Vice President Nominee Senator Tim Kaine, Senator Bill Nelson, and others in state and local government such as Governor Terry McAuliffe and Mayor Donnie Tuck.
Sianni had every intention of starting her life in DC, but God had other plans. After moving to New York she started at Columbia University for her Masters in Non-profit management with a concentration in policy & marketing. What she didn’t know by then was that God was setting her up to launch her nonprofit Social Society U — an idea that was brewing for the past five years.
Social Society U serves as a college prep org that aids to helping students find their purpose and passion. The team doesn’t believe in one size fits all, rather they know that success can be achieved in all forms and in various routes. Sianni loves to see students prosper and break that barrier of “I can’t, or I don’t know how”. Social Society U is an organization that doesn’t fit the mold but breaks into the culture of college & of course the pride and excitement that comes along.
CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP — What meaning do you give this term?
Being aware of how you’re leading and what space in your heart are you doing it from.
CAREER — What led you to your particular career path?
Not understanding how the disparities came to be between the rich and the poor. So at a young age I dug deep into law and education policy and learned that it all came back to how a child was schooled during his or her k-12 years.
MENTORS — We all need a little help along the journey. Who has been an invaluable mentor for you? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
I would definitely give props to my virtual mentors. Many people forget that mentors do not have to be just people that you know personally but can be people you interact with or follow online. Long as they are making you want to be better not bitter, or teaching things you know to be incorrect, I would say learn that person. One person who has impacted me dramatically would be my former college professor. He taught a few of the policy classes and eventually helped me land a seat at an ivy league university to pursue my Master’s Degree. Not only that, he took me to events that he knew would inspire me and gave me guidance to help support my dreams and aspirations.
TO THRIVE — When you see yourself thriving: Do you see yourself opening up opportunities for others along the way to participate in your success, and how?
I absolutely see myself thriving when I am able to open up doors for others. To me its an indication of how far I have come with God’s grace. If you’re the person that quietly fears opening the door up for others because of whatever reason, I would implore you to understand that there is more than enough for you and them to thrive in the world. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
CAUSE — What are the causes close to your heart, and you are supporting right now? Can you share a story how you got involved? How did it make you feel?
I would say helping individuals recognize their gifts is something close to my heart. Many of times people overlook their natural abilities and end up somewhere they never wish or intended to be. One story in particular was about a student who did not believe in himself nor his dreams, so he portrayed someone who was completely different than who he was. He portrayed a person people deemed him to be — it was a negative image. However, upon getting to know him and really helping him to see his gifts we began to tear down the negative image he decided to portray.
THE FUTURE — How do you see the face of entrepreneurship in 5 years? How do companies /brands need to adapt to secure their place in the future?
Demee! This is a great question. While I feel that it is so important to plan and write down your goals, I also know it is important to take each day as they come — or manage your stress to each day, not for something that’s taking place a week or two from now. So plan — but take precaution on what you allow to stress.
One way to secure your place in the future is developing a organizational/business calendar. For instance, if its January and you’re having an event in September with sponsors — most sponsors need 30–60 days notice. You will have to know what you need, who you need, and when. Or if you have content that you want to release figure out where in the calendar year it would work best.
ADVICE — What kind of advice would you like to give to an aspiring entrepreneur who feels limited due to their background or lack of resources?
It’s never too late or too early to start. Develop a solid plan for yourself and pray for guidance. If there was a problem you’d solve what would it be? What could you see yourself doing for free the rest of your life? How will you maneuver when people are clapping and cheering you on, will you keep going?
In everything that we do we can ask ourselves are we doing this from a place of peace or from a place of fear/anxiousness. What does peace look like? Your mind is settled, your heart is ready, you may be anticipating but that’s okay. What does doing something out of fear without peace look like?
DRIVE — Do you sometimes feel bad for “wanting more out of life”, and if so, why? What is your personal motivation that leads you through the hardships of entrepreneurship?
Absolutely, I always have to check myself to see if I am asking from a place of sincerity or for greed. If its the later, then I usually don’t go that path if or until I fix my heart. If its a sincere desire then I go full force towards that goal!
CHALLENGES — Entrepreneurship is very challenging. We each have our own coping mechanism. Mine is humor. What is yours? Can you share a story?
Mine would be my “Therapeutic Thursdays” where I do nothing but pamper Sianni for at least 3 hours of the day. I take that time to catch up on my beauty habits, make a meaningful dinner or dessert, or even take myself on a drive. It’s really up to you.
THANK YOU!
Connect with Sianni on Instagram.
Demee Koch about the MEDIUM interview series on CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
Conscious entrepreneurship for me is about building a sustainable business that values and respects the resources used and makes an effort of giving back to society.
I believe we need entrepreneurs to really get involved in the causes close to their heart.
This is why I reach out to entrepreneurs that aim for more than generating profit. With this interview, I aim to share entrepreneurial purpose-led passion to inspire others.
Looking forward to learn from you. Reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Demee ❤︎
